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Stubbs out of starting lineup against Astros

Stubbs out of starting lineup against Astros

CINCINNATI -- Even though he was given the day off on Wednesday and there was a scheduled team off day on Thursday, Reds center fielder Drew Stubbs was out of Friday's lineup vs. the Astros.

The slumping Stubbs still has manager Dusty Baker in his corner, however.

"I'll just leave Stubbs a couple of days to try to make some changes in his approach," Baker said. "Lack of ability is not the issue. He has more ability than nearly everybody in the league. Let's face it: as much as everybody gets on Stubbs, he is still one of the best center fielders in the league. That's a major part of your defense. We just have to figure out a way to get him more productive offensively."

In his last 15 games, Stubbs is batting .159 (10-for-63) with 27 strikeouts.

"As much as you hate to do it, like a parent sometimes, you have to let a guy hit rock bottom and then they're open for any kind of suggestion," Baker said. "We'll help him figure it out. Sometimes you have to figure out things on your own.

"As cold has Stubbs has been, this guy still has 71 runs scored. I don't know how the heck he does it. When he scores, we win."

The Reds are 46-6 in games when Stubbs scores a run. Baker invoked the name of a former Reds late bloomer in Edwin Encarnacion, who has 37 homers and 95 RBIs this year in a breakout season for the Blue Jays.

"Sometimes you don't just figure it out when everybody wants you to figure it out," Baker said. "Look at Edwin Encarnacion. It took him a couple of years, but he's figured it out."